Is Ukraine about to elect a comedian as its next president? – podcast

Ukrainians look set to elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a comedian and actor with no political experience, as their new president on Sunday. Andrew Roth discusses the events that have taken him to the brink of power. Plus: Peter Tatchell on why the British police should not be providing leadership training to officers in Brunei

A comedian who plays a president on TV is the favourite to become Ukraine’s actual president when citizens go to the polls on Sunday. Despite the fact Volodymyr Zelenskiy has no political experience and has been vague about his policies, disappointment with the incumbent, Petro Poroshenko, and anger over government corruption look likely to carry him to victory.

India Rakusen interviews the Guardian’s Moscow correspondent, Andrew Roth, on why, after years of stalled reforms, rising living costs, and a war against Russia-backed separatists in the country’s south-east, Ukrainians are so keen to make a political novice their president.